25 March 2021
If the injuries sustained by nurses due to violence were to occur in a construction workplace setting, the entire site would be shut down until the issue was resolved, the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation (SA Branch) CEO/Secretary Adj. Associate Professor Elizabeth Dabars AM told ABC Radio this morning.
“I’m not suggesting we shut down our hospitals,’’ she told ABC presenter David Bevan.
“What I am saying is people are entitled to a safe working environment and where women are being encouraged to speak up against abuse we are in a female-dominated profession of nursing and midwifery and they are being exposed to a near daily experience of violence.
“There is a (SA Health) policy in place. The policy is good. What it’s not is implemented. We have been so frustrated by the lack of will.’’
Ms Dabars spoke again of the incredible strain on an understaffed and under-resourced hospital system, the immense pressure placed on fatigued nurses and midwives and the dangers this posed to the wellbeing of the community.
“The system is in crisis, it is incredible and cannot continue. We must have solutions to this,’’ she said.
Ms Dabars also responded to listeners’ concerns about the lack of parking available at the Women’s and Children’s Hospital.
“People who can’t get into a hospital, you always question if it’s functional,’’ she said.
“The system cannot be functional if you can’t even get in, whether you are a patient or a staff member.
“We have put forward solution after solution,’’ Ms Dabars said, adding that utilising the parade ground “just up the road” and providing security guards would be a viable option.
“I don’t know why they don’t utilise what is already there.’’